Cross Quilt Block Pattern

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How to Sew a Cross Quilt Block

The Cross quilt block is a bold and classic design that uses a contrasting fabric strip sewn onto a background square to create a striking cross shape. It's a great block for showcasing two contrasting fabrics!

Materials Needed

• Background fabric and cross fabric in two contrasting colors
• Sewing machine and thread
• Rotary cutter and cutting mat
• Ruler
• Iron and ironing board

Cutting Guide

• Background fabric: one 10½" square
• Cross fabric: one strip 2½" wide

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Place the cross fabric strip on top of the background square, right sides together. Pin in place and sew with a ¼" seam allowance. Press the seam toward the cross fabric.
2. Cut the cross fabric strip in half perpendicular to the seam you just sewed. This gives you two pieces that will form the cross.
3. Take one cross piece and place it on the background square, right sides together. Pin and sew with a ¼" seam allowance. Repeat with the second cross piece, aligning it with the first to form a complete cross. Press seam allowances toward the cross pieces.
4. Trim the block to 10½" square using your ruler and rotary cutter.
5. Repeat these steps to make as many Cross blocks as needed for your project.

Once you have enough blocks, sew them together to make a quilt top. Arrange them in a pleasing pattern and sew with a ¼" seam allowance. Add batting and backing to complete your quilt.

Nine Patch Technique

The secret to a perfect nine patch is pressing seams so they butt together neatly when joined.

1. Cut 5 A squares and 4 B squares. Using chain piecing, join a B square to 3 of the A squares, right sides together, with a ¼" seam allowance.

2. Join the remaining A and B squares to these units using chain piecing, right sides together, with a ¼" seam allowance.

For the faster strip method, cut A and B strips, join into A/B/A and B/A/B units, and cut across the pre-joined strips to create the units needed:

Press all seams toward the dark fabric. Join the B/A/B units to your A/B/A units with butted seams, right sides together, with a ¼" seam allowance. As long as a block has an underlying 3×3 grid, this principle applies.

How to Resize Quilt Blocks

The first step in modifying any quilt block is to decide on your finished block size. You can base this on doubling a pattern, cutting it in half, or working with your available fabric.

Note: When working from a pattern's cutting instructions, remove the seam allowance before scaling. For example, if your pattern calls for 3½″ squares, subtract the seam allowance (½″), double the finished size (3″ → 6″), then add the seam allowance back (½″) — giving you a 6½″ cut piece.

Resizing Square Blocks

Add ½″ to your finished block measurement. For a 4″ finished square, cut a 4½″ square of fabric.

Resizing Rectangular Blocks

Add ½″ to both the length and width. To double a 3″ × 4″ block, cut a 6½″ × 8½″ rectangle.

Resizing Half-Square Triangle Blocks

Add 7/8″ to the desired finished block size. For a 4″ finished HST block, cut 4⅞″ squares.

Resizing Quarter Square Triangle Blocks

Add 1¼″ to the desired finished block size. For a 4″ finished block, cut 5¼″ squares.